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Get noticed.

Nearly 3/4 of all crashes between bikes and cars occur at intersections, and not surprisingly most of those occur in the evening hours when the light is fading and everyone is tired and trying to get home after a long day. Often enough, motorists simply drive right into cyclists. Light and Motion recognizes the need to be more visible from all directions, not just from the front and the back. That's why they have created their Vis series of lights. The Vis 180 Tail Light is not only a tail light, as it has sidelights as well to make you more visible and safer out on the mean streets.

The Vis 180 Tail Light has amber side lights just like the ones on your car. This allows drivers to see you through 180 of arc as opposed to simply being visible from the rear. So as you ride through that sketchy intersection next time, you'll know that drivers will be able to see you clearly even if their lights are not directly shining on the reflective stripe on your jacket. The glaring 70 lumens output is enough to be seen from great distances. The Vis 180 Tail Light is easily mounted on most seatpost sizes and shapes via an adjustable thick rubbery strap. A built-in ratchet system will allow you to position it so that no matter what angle it's mounted at, it has the greatest effect to be seen. It has a rechargeable Li-ion battery pack that powers the tail light for 4 hours continuously and 8 hours on the flash setting. When the time comes for a recharge, the micro USB port accepts a charge from your computer or most phone chargers. It takes 4.5 hours to get the battery pack juiced back up to full power.

Easily mounts to bag, bike, or helmet, which allows you to pick your placement or use multiple lights

"Let There Be Light"!!!

Of course a smaller bag, or no bag, will allow you to clip the light right to the seat post. I just like to travel prepared, and so use the larger seat bag for tools, etc., and a hydration pack for first aid kit, food, extra clothes, or jacket, as needed, etc. Ya, kind of like campcycling! Better to be prepared as best you can, I believe.

Note the *side lights on both front and back lights; the side lights on the tail light alone a very, very bright...way more than appears in this shot.

Perfect for road bikes, but also for mtn

Comment on Debbie C's photo:

Not enough room on your seat post?

No problem...can be clipped to your seat bag (provided the bag has a tab on the back), like this Lezyne seat bag, which features a 'loop' which you can clip a tail light (or extra reflector). Ditto Osprey hydration packs like Raptor/Raven, for example.

Comment on Debbie C's photo:

$ Saving Battery!

Comment on Debbie C's photo:

Info from L&M VIS 180 box

Info of Interest listed on box.

*Notice the 'groves' on the upper corner of the light, the facilitate positioning light perpendicular to the ground when attaching to seat post. The clip ratchets into place in selected grove and 'locks in'.

Comment on Debbie C's photo:

NOW U SEE ME!!!

Light does just what it was designed to do: make you visible to cars...even from quite a distance away; and in adverse weather conditions!

Pity the riders who get stuck riding behind you! Using the low setting will 'help', but it is still incredibly bright; but a tail light should be, right?!

This thing is built solidly, too...has a little 'heft' to it, but not cumbersome at all; pretty slick-looking actually. Love the versatility, as well: can position to adjust to your attachment needs (whether to the seat post, saddle bag, jersey, or hydration pack). Camera really doesn't do it justice as to the lumens this thing blast out! It truly supersedes all others out there.

Can't recommend it enough...your life is worth it!

*Also recommend L&M Taz 1200 (when available again). Voted as *best overall beam pattern by mountainbikereview.com...where you can actually view the different lights and their beam patterns, and evaluations...pretty cool. Lupine still has the most lumens & best overall tech, if you have about $1K+...go for it! This was more inline with my budget and I have no regrets....would someday love to get the Lupine *Wilma, but until then...

I have been riding with the Vis 180 most days while commuting since December 2010. It has been incredibly reliable for me in rain and snow. Often times I haven't had fenders on the bike to keep the road spray and mud away and still no issues. The seal for the USB plug port is really well done, much better than anything on a Garmin computer or other supposedly waterproof electronics. I'll bet I can get another 3 years at least out of this, maybe many more. You might actually consider getting the smaller light and motion tail light, since I think this one is sometimes too bright, especially when you have other cycllist's around.

Have an answer for Debbie C?

Does anyone have any experience mounting...

Does anyone have any experience mounting this to a seat post that is not round and has a pointy trailing edge? The back half of my Dogma seat post resembles a triangle in cross section and the front a half circle. Does it stay in place without rigging up some sort of home made solution? :D

That is a great question. I have done some homework on your compatibility question. There is a good chance you might have issues depending on the diameter post and not the shape. If the diameter is the issue, you can always clip light to most seat bags that have a loop. . If you have any additional questions or concerns, just email me at dmyers@backcountry.com

I get pretty close to maxing out the strap on a 31.6 mm seat post, it only leaves me a couple of loops to work with. You can mount the light on the seat stays as well, just turn it upside down if you want the light perpendicular to the ground. Or like Don said, mount it to a saddle bag with a loop. You can also clip it to a back pack or a jersey pocket (not reccomended). You might also consider the Vis 360. It adds some weight to your helmet, but is a good way to see and be seen. It is easy enough to take off the helmet and store in your jersey pocket when you don't want to use it.

Have an answer for Jonathan Nellis?

A lighthouse in the dark

Familiarity:
I've put it through the wringer

Sure, this is pricier than your average commuter tail light, but it's worth every penny. I use this when I'm night riding on my mountain bike, since I have to commute about 10 min on the road to get to the trailhead, and when I road ride after work at dusk. It truly is visible from both the sides and the back - cars definitely give me more space when the Vis 180 is on my bike because they can see me from further away and have plenty of time to move over. The light mount is super simple and fits snuggly on my seatpost. I usually try to recharge it after every 2-3 rides, but I've gone longer without, and have yet to run out of juice during a ride.

Comment on Cameron's photo:

The Best

Familiarity:
I've put it through the wringer

I have had this for 3 years now and it is awesome. I don't worry about cars seeing me. I know they do. I actually use the lower blinking setting because max is sometimes too bright. There is nothing better on the market.

Comment on Don101098873's review:

Sounds great...how are the headlights from...

Sounds great...how are the headlights from this brand? Any recommendations...don't want to cut corners. Any one hear/had any experience with "Lupine Lighting", if so, how do they compare quality-wise?

Thanks

********UP-DATE******

For any others having the same query: Check out the "Light Shoot-Out" on *Mountainbike review.com, where they test (and show the actual beams) of most all brands. That said, this tail light, and the L&M Taz headlight were 'voted' best overall beam. While the Lupine Lighting won best tech....but also the most costly, which is why I ended up 'defaulting' to the Vis 180 & Taz 1200 (lots less $ but still high quality!). Check it out:)

Light and Motion is the company that I turn to every time I need lights. Admittedly, they are a little pricey... but as we all know, "you get what you pay for."I have been using my"Light and Motion URBAN300" for commuting, and it is perfect in every way. There are brighter and more expensive lights out there, but the 300 was able to satisfy all of my requirements at a lower price: It is bright and visible, easy to use, rechargeable, and casts a beam that lights up the road surface. I am not certain if all Light and Motion headlamps operate the same, but my 300 has four brightness settings, one strobe (always gets noticed). It also has the same side LEDs as the 180 taillight for added visibility. Plus, it came with a helmet mount, although I prefer to mount it directly to my handlebars.

Can't comment on "Lupine Lighting," I have never used any of those products. What I can recommend is that you should choose a lamp with a rating of at least 150 lumens and some form of side illumination. Good luck, and stay safe!

OK, so you're going to get two answers for evaluation, and for mine, I will say that I've never used any L&M light (I came across your inquiry while looking at an L&M taillight). I have a Lupine Wilma which is accurately rated at 2800 lumens. Yes, 2800!!! At its highest setting (I have four settings programmed in, each significantly brighter than the last, with the fourth setting being full-on). I'll just say that I have no problem seeing ANYTHING on the road, even if I'm descending at 45+ mph. Was it expensive? Yes, but one crash would make what I paid inconsequential (and I know first hand - $25K later after a (daytime) accident of mine, and a subsequent collarbone surgery, a Lupine is a drop in the bucket... thankfully, I have insurance which covered 80%). I also commute in Southern California (south Orange County), so being seen by the many motorists I encounter is a high-priority... I've had drivers in front of me "flash" me with their high-beams because they're getting hit with so much light. Crazy thing is the Wilma is not Lupine's brightest - that goes to the Betty (got to love their names) which comes in at 3600 lumens. Yikes. Now back to checking out L&M taillights here on the wonderful Competitive Cyclist (kudos to them for allowing the posting of info about stuff they don't sell... they're a great company). I hope my input helps you, and others. Bob

That's great, and was my first choice, as well! Would be great if Comp.cyclist/Backcountry would offer this awesome brand. It's insane what some (many) cyclist use for night riding...you scarcely can see them, and I highly doubt they can 'see' very much, as well (not to mention the lack of reflective elements to help with visibility)...just not worth cutting corners to save some $, and possibly lose their life!

beacon

Comment on Janet Kaplar's review:

Elegant Mounting Design

The most important feature of a tail light, aside from overall visibility, is the mounting mechanism. A tail light will do you no good if it is not aimed at the eyes of approaching motorists! Considering the fact that most seat posts angle toward the road, the tail light has to be positioned in a way that allows the light to travel upward, not down onto your rear tire! This hinged mount does an excellent job and makes it easy to get attention.